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Enclosure class

Enclosure class states the degree to which an electrical enclosure, such as a motor, is protected against the intrusion of solid objects and water.

Enclosure class is expressed as ‘IP’ followed by two digits (see table). The two digits indicate the protection against solid objects and water, respectively.

Example: An electrical socket rated IP33 is protected against solid objects bigger than 2.5 mm, i.e. wires, tools, etc. The socket will not be damaged or become unsafe if it is exposed to water spray falling at an angle of 60° from vertical.

IP33 is of a higher standard then IP2X that is the typical minimum requirement for indoor use. ‘X’ is used when there is no protection rating for the criterion concerned, in this case water intrusion.

In some situations a lower IP class may be more suitable than a higher IP. For example, IP 44 motors can be more suitable than an IP 55 motor in a damp environment where condensed vapour can form in the stator housing. Drain holes in an IP 44 motor allow the moisture to drain out of the stator housing, which would not be possible in an IP 55 motor

0 No special protection 1 The motor is protected against solid objects bigger than 55 mm, e.g. a hand 2 The motor is protected against objects bigger than 12 mm, e.g. a finger 3 The motor is protected against solid objects bigger than 2.5 mm, i.e. wires, tools, etc. 4 The motor is protected against solid objects bigger than 1 mm, e.g. wires 5 The motor is protected against the ingress of dust 6 The motor is completely dust-proof

0 No special protection 1 The motor is protected against vertically falling drops of water, such as condensed water 2 The motor is protected against vertically falling drops of water, even if the motor is tilted at an angle of 15° 3 The motor is protected against water spray falling at an angle of 60° from vertical 4 The motor is protected against water splashing from any direction 5 The motor is protected against water being projected from a nozzle from any direction 6 The motor is protected against heavy seas or high-pressure water jets from any direction 7 The motor is protected when submerged from 15 cm to 1 min. water for a period specified by the manufacturer 8 The motor is protected against continuous submersion in water under conditions specified by the manufacturer